Fatigue-related gait adaptations in children with cerebral palsy

Aim: To obtain insights into the effects of fatigue on the kinematics, kinetics, and energy cost of walking (ECoW) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Method: In this prospective observational study, 12 children with CP (mean age 12 years 9 months, SD 2 years 7 months; four females, eight males) and 15 typically developing children (mean age 10 years 8 months, SD 2 years 4 months; seven females, eight males) followed a prolonged intensity-based walking protocol on an instrumented treadmill, combined with gas analysis measurements. The protocol consisted of consecutive stages, including a 6-minute walking exercise (6MW) at comfortable speed, 2 minutes of moderate-intensity walking (MIW) (with a heart rate > 70% of its predicted maximal), and 4 minutes walking after MIW. If necessary, the speed and slope were incremented to reach MIW. Outcomes were evaluated at the beginning and end of the 6MW and after MIW.Results: With prolonged walking, Gait Profile Scores deteriorated slightly for both groups (p < 0.01). Knee flexion increased during early stance (p = 0.004) and ankle dorsiflexion increased during late stance (p = 0.034) in children with CP only. Negligible effects were found for kinetics. No demonstrable change in ECoW was found in either group (p = 0.195).Interpretation: Kinematic deviations in children with CP are progressive with prolonged walking. The large variation in adaptations indicates that an individual approach is recommended to investigate the effects of physical fatigue on gait in clinical practice.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fatigue on kinematics, kinetics, and energy cost of walking in children with cerebral palsy. The results showed that kinematic deviations occurred in children with cerebral palsy during prolonged walking, while kinetics and energy cost of walking did not significantly change. Therefore, an individualized approach is recommended to study the effects of physical fatigue on gait in clinical practice.